Well, here it is after 3 am, can't sleep I am so uncomfortable. Saturday I woke up feeling like I slept wrong (my left shoulder was sore and tense), and it has been getting worse ever since. I'm heading back into the pain and spasm part of the merry-go-round. I went to the specialist Wednesday, and he did a few adjustments to the splints (didn't really need it, but wanted to try), and he did some cold laser and ultrasound therapy on some trigger points on the left side. I had a chiro appt yesterday, which I thought that I needed, but right now I feel it made things worse.

I was really really hoping to somehow get out of these cycles with the TMJ treatments....some days are not too bad, but once I start with the spasms and pain I am stuck within that part for weeks and weeks and nothing seems to help but wait it out. It is so hard to function, physically, and mentally because I get so exhausted from the pain.

The CST I started with wanted me to do stretches, regardless of the fact that I told her stretching makes my muscle pain and spasms worse. Maybe that was the trigger. I'm going to try a different craniosacral therapist, but can't get to her for a couple of weeks. The chiro wanted to see me in a week, again getting back into that old routine. I don't want to go for chiro every week, darn it!

Has anyone else experienced setbacks? Unfortunately, these cycles are normal for me. I am still worrying that there is something else on top of the tmj issue...

Well, here it is after 3 am, can't sleep I am so uncomfortable. Saturday I woke up feeling like I slept wrong (my left shoulder was sore and tense), and it has been getting worse ever since. I'm heading back into the pain and spasm part of the merry-go-round. I went to the specialist Wednesday, and he did a few adjustments to the splints (didn't really need it, but wanted to try), and he did some cold laser and ultrasound therapy on some trigger points on the left side. I had a chiro appt yesterday, which I thought that I needed, but right now I feel it made things worse.

I was really really hoping to somehow get out of these cycles with the TMJ treatments....some days are not too bad, but once I start with the spasms and pain I am stuck within that part for weeks and weeks and nothing seems to help but wait it out. It is so hard to function, physically, and mentally because I get so exhausted from the pain.

The CST I started with wanted me to do stretches, regardless of the fact that I told her stretching makes my muscle pain and spasms worse. Maybe that was the trigger. I'm going to try a different craniosacral therapist, but can't get to her for a couple of weeks. The chiro wanted to see me in a week, again getting back into that old routine. I don't want to go for chiro every week, darn it!

Has anyone else experienced setbacks? Unfortunately, these cycles are normal for me. I am still worrying that there is something else on top of the tmj issue...

I just started my PT therapy and she has me doing some stretching which also causes the spasms do get worse. Don't be discouraged by this. Your muscles took a long time to get into this mess, and they aren't going to like to be fooled with at all. Right after the appt. I take magnesium, 500mg with 2 advil, and it helps to calm things down. (And a really hot shower helps too)
Otherwise you could schedule a light massage visit if you have the funds to do so right after a PT visit. I know ----more $$$ AHHHHH!

I just wanted to send you a virtual hug *HUG* I'm sorry I don't have any advice and I can't claim to know exactly what you're going through because for me I count myself lucky that it's not too often that I am in so much pain, for me it's more the discomfort.
I have a friend however who sounds just like you so you're not alone, she too goes through phases where tmj pain and symptoms tend to flare up even whilst having therapy and treatments.
Regarding my pain, when it does get really bad (which as I say is thankfully not too often) it happens out of the blue and I can never place what I have done to aggrivate my jaw joints and muscles. I did have a terrible day in the week where my muscles felt very stiff, ached and I had headache along with clicks all over my head and neck and the shoulder pain returned with a vengance but I have no idea why.

I hope that for you the pain doesn't last for weeks as I know you said it can do, it is frustrating regarding tratments, especially when treatment actually seems like it's making pain worse, persevere with what feels right for you.